New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing him of using Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's state aircraft for his travels across the country. Sitharaman made these remarks during a 'Sarv Samaj Sammelan' event organized by the Delhi BJP. She also claimed that Kejriwal misused funds meant for the welfare of the poor by constructing an extravagant residence for himself.
Sitharaman further alleged that Kejriwal, who previously accused opposition leaders of corruption, was now attempting to unite with them. She highlighted Kejriwal's meetings with Sharad Pawar and Lalu Prasad, despite previously accusing them of corruption. The finance minister also criticized the Delhi government for neglecting the issues faced by the people of the city.
"The money for welfare of the poor has been spent on building Sheesh Mahal for Kejriwal. He keeps Punjab Chief Minister by his side so that he could use his aircraft whose expenses are paid using the money of the taxpayers of Punjab," she charged.
In addition, Sitharaman accused Kejriwal of failing to fulfill his promise to build 1,000 mohalla clinics, claiming that only 520 had been completed, with over 300 still operating from temporary cabins. She also accused the Delhi government of depriving the poor of the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme.
Sitharaman praised the Modi government for leading India's fast recovery from the decline in GDP caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. She asserted that India had become the world's fastest-growing economy and would continue to hold that position in the coming years due to the government's measures. She also emphasized the government's success in manufacturing and administering Covid vaccines, which enhanced public trust.
The finance minister criticized opposition parties, including the Congress, for pressuring the government to print more banknotes and take on additional loans during the pandemic. She claimed that Prime Minister Modi's handling of the economy prevented India from becoming heavily indebted like other countries.
Sitharaman refuted the opposition's complaints about rising prices of essential items, stating that the inflation rate had decreased in the country. She highlighted the government's efforts in job creation and entrepreneurship through various schemes, emphasizing the empowerment initiatives providing housing, sanitation facilities, cooking gas, and drinking water to the citizens.
"India would have been the most heavily indebted country if the suggestions of the Opposition were followed. Many middle-income countries like Sri Lanka are asking money from IMF. Prime Minister Modi, however, handled economy in a way to ward off such a situation," she said.
Sitharaman concluded by stating that the Modi government had delivered corruption-free and welfare-oriented governance over the past nine years. In contrast, she pointed out that seven ministers from the AAP government in Delhi had been jailed since 2015, implying a lack of integrity in their administration.
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